Tag Archive: weight loss clinic

Vacation Doesn’t Have to Sabotage Your Fitness Goals

Medifast Glendale AZAccording to Gallop and other online surveys, summer is the vacation season of choice for over 50% of Americans. However, if you’re committed to pursuing a specific weight loss or fitness goal, the idea of vacation can trigger an emotional conflict.

You may be thinking, “As much as I want to spend this time away, I dread the thought of returning heavier than when I left and I’m not talking about my luggage!” Ok, take a deep breath and relax. Vacation does not have to lead to falling off your proverbial weight loss wagon. There is a way to enjoy your well-deserved time off without sacrificing your fitness goals.

Take advantage of airport travel time. Rather than taking the moving sidewalk or escalator, opt for good, old fashioned walking or stair climbing. If you have a wait time before your flight, get up and walk canstockphoto8958370around. Airports usually have long stretches of space perfect for walking so take a walk and get your body in calorie burning mode before your flight.

Plan active outings. Activity increases endorphins so if you remain active on your vacation, not only will you burn calories, but you will likely have more fun! Here are some ideas:

  • Sign up for a guided hike or be adventurous and chart your own course to explore the unique scenery of your vacation destination.
  • If you are in a place near the water, take part in activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling or scuba diving.
  • After meals, take a walk and explore the resort or town, rather than sipping a margarita by the pool.

Take control of your menu. Book a venue with an in room mini kitchen. This way you can buy and prepare food that you know is healthy and not loaded with hidden fat and calories. Alternately, research restaurants with healthy options and/or the flexibility to prepare simple, whole foods upon your request.

Have an accountability plan. Setting a goal to maintain or lose weight during vacation is a nice place to start, but in isolation won’t usually produce the desired result. It is when we share our goals and hold ourselves accountable to others that success rates soar! Before you go on your vacation, devise a plan to connect with a specific person to whom you will be accountable daily.

With a little pre-planning, summer vacation doesn’t have to disrupt your weight loss goals. You may find that you enjoy it even more because you won’t have the guilt of coming back with any extra baggage around your waistline!

The caring and knowledgeable professionals at Medifast Weight Control Centers can devise a sensible weight loss plan for your summer vacation. There are weight loss clinics in Scottsdale, Glendale, Gilbert and Chandler AZ. Pick up the phone today so we can help you start working toward your weight loss goals!

Make Your 2016 Memorial Day a Healthier One!

So often, when we think about Memorial Day, our first thought is of the traditional backyard BBQ chock full of high calorie food and drinks. Americans simply have a cultural association between festivity and food. The good news is that you can still enjoy the upcoming holiday, without having to compromise your quest for a bathing suit ready body this summer. Here’s how:Weight Loss Gilbert AZ

Rather than kicking your heels up by the pool, find ways to keep your body active and burn calories. Why not organize a friendly competition around an outdoor group sport, such as volleyball? This is a fun way to sneak in a workout while still being social.

If you’re attending a party, offer to help the host or hostess with preparation and then assist with the cleanup afterwards. Your graciousness is sure to be appreciated and you will be occupied so that you can sidestep the pitfall of mindlessly overeating.

Avoid the high fat, high calorie food and drinks that are often associated with Memorial Day celebrations. Consuming alcoholic beverages not only adds empty calories to your diet, but it also lowers your inhibitions, which can lead to unhealthy food choices. Before you think about partaking, think about the fact that just one margarita contains approximately 800 calories!!

The traditional American BBQ usually includes some sort of salad on the side, but just because it’s called a salad, don’t assume it’s good for you. Potato and pasta salads are almost always loaded canstockphoto5771099with creamy, high fat mayo or dressing. Finally, try to dodge the desserts, which usually include sugary, high fat cookies and cakes.

Choose healthy foods that nourish your body. If you’re concerned about not having any nutritious options available, than contribute some of your own healthy alternatives to the party. For the main course, chicken or fish are great high protein, low fat options. However, be cautioned that BBQ sauce can have a high sugar content, so instead opt for lemon juice and herb marinades. Rather than the heavy potato or pasta salad, your body will thank you for consuming a fresh vegetable salad with a light dressing. For dessert, create a colorful assortment of delicious, seasonal fruit.

By making a few adjustments, it’s very possible to enjoy your Memorial Day and still feel good about not having sabotaged your summer body goals. The professionals at Medifast Weight Control Centers can provide additional support to help you navigate Memorial Day and other challenges to your weight loss success. Call today for your complimentary consultation to learn more!  

Top 5 Things To Know About Metabolism

If you are trying to lose weight or you want to maintain your current weight, your mind is probably filled with things like calories, carbs, fats, or when you will next be able to fit in a workout into your busy schedule… or even how great a chocolate bar would taste right now.

One thing that is important to consider when you are trying to lose weight or stay healthy is your metabolism. Not many adults understand what the metabolism is all about. Here are the top 5 things to know about metabolism.

canstockphoto11823391(1)1. Your metabolism is the way that your body processes the things that you consume, and how your body converts the things you eat and drink into energy. This is a two part process that never ends. It involves anabolism and catabolism. Anabolism is when energy is actually created and stored. Catabolism is when your energy is released.

This two part system is controlled by the endocrine system, the system in your body which is in charge of many processes including the growth of cells, the growth of tissue, and the repair of reproductive function, and the regulation of mood. While you cannot directly influence how your personal metabolism works, you can control what you eat and how much you eat, as well as how much physical exercise you get. These three items will give you a great deal of power over the metabolism.

2. It is important to note that each person’s metabolism works in a slightly different way and therefore each person has to figure out their metabolic rates. This is better referred to as your Basal Metabolic Rate, or BMR and it refers to having a fast or slow metabolism. Once you learn whether your metabolism is fast or slow, you can tailor the calories and foods you consume as well as the exercise you do to best suit your body.

3. Your Basal Metabolic Rate is an important component to how your metabolism works because losing weight requires you to often count how many calories you burn (remember that you burn calories even when you sleep and breathe; the brain takes 500 calories per day just to function). The Basal Metabolic Rate takes into consideration your age, gender, height, weight, and other factors.

4. There are online calculators you can use to calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate, or you can speak with your doctor about how to calculate it sMedifast Arizonao that you can keep better track of your energy expenditure throughout the day (otherwise known as how many calories your body burns and how many you need to consume to reach your ideal healthy weight).

5. The idea of a “fast” metabolism is really a myth; the metabolism rate is a combination of your muscle mass, gender, genetics, age, and more. If you skip meals or severely reduce how many calories you intake, your body will compensate by reducing the rate of your metabolism so that it can save as many calories as possible to convert into energy at a later time to handle all daily functions. If you consume too many calories without increasing your physical activities, your body will store the unused energy in the form of fat.

Medifast Weight Control Centers offers four Arizona locations, with thousands of success stories having achieved their weight loss goals. Each weight loss clinic in Scottsdale, Gilbert, Glendale and Chandler offers Certified Weight Loss Counselors. Call (602) 996-9669 to schedule your complimentary consultation!

What is the Link Between Various Cancers and Obesity

Today there are many links between cancers and obesity. Over the last three decades the percentage of overweight and obese adults and children has increased tremendously, at shockingly high rates. The growth of obesity rates has led to diseases and increased risks of cancers including:

  • Gallbladder cancerobesity epidemic
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Colon and rectum cancer
  • Breast cancer (post-menopausal)
  • Esophagus cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Pancreas cancer
  • Endometrium cancer (the lining of the uterus)
  • And other types

This has also increased secondary health concerns such as coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and diabetes. For example: in 1980 there were zero cases of diabetes in children but by 2010 there were over 57,000.

So what is obesity?

Obesity is a condition with an abnormally high and unhealthy proportion of body fat, which can be measured with the body mass index provided by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Right now 2/3rds of adults in America are obese or overweight and among children, the figure has reached over 10%.

Obesity is scientifically documented to increase the risk for many cancers including esophagus, kidney, colon, thyroid, pancreas, and more. It is alleged that by 2030 the existing trends linking obesity to cancers will reach an additional five hundred thousand cases Weight Loss Scottsdale AZannually in the United States. If each adult just reduced their BMI by 1%, which would roughly equal 2.2 pounds, it would prevent the increase mentioned above in cancer rates by 2030, and more than that, it would actually help avoid 100,000 new cases of cancer.

There are many mechanisms which explain the link between cancer and obesity. The first is the excess fatty tissue which creates excess amounts of estrogen. This has been linked to breast cancers and endometrial cancers. The second is the high level of insulin among obese patients. The increased insulin levels in the blood promotes the development of different tumors. The third is that the fat cells actually produce hormones in the body called adipokines which will either inhibit cell growth or promote it. Leptin, a hormone that is found in excess among obese people, promotes cell proliferation but adiponectin which is not nearly as abundant among obese people, has anti-proliferative effects.

Additionally, fat calls can have direct and indirect effects on the regulation of tumor growth. Finally, obese people often have regular inflammation which is associated with higher risks of cancer.

There are other mechanisms within the body which might also account for the altered immune responses such as oxidative stress on the body.

Many studies link obesity to increased risk of cancer, but it is also something exacerbated by age with regard to the risk for breast cancer. The higher risk of breast cancer is often seen in post menopausal women and not in obese women who are not post-menopausal.Top Weight Loss Center Phoenix

Medifast Weight Control Centers offers an amazing weight loss plan that works while being healthy, safe and fast. Counselors at all 4 Valleywide Centers help you with tips, guidance and motivation!

Initial consultations are free, and you will be excited about the success rates and your ability to get your body and your life back. Call today (602) 996-9669!



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